News

James Clay and Stone Brewing form UK distribution partnership

3 May 2017

We’re thrilled to announce James Clay is expanding its portfolio through a new partnership with iconic California brewery Stone Brewing, the ninth largest craft brewer in the US.

We’re now importing a core range of six of Stone Brewing’s best-known beers to the UK’s on-trade market, including Stone IPA, Stone Cali-Belgique IPA, Stone Ruination Double IPA and the world-famous Arrogant Bastard Ale, along with a full complement of special and seasonal releases to support the core range.

Renowned for its West Coast style IPAs, Stone Brewing has set the global benchmark for fresh, hop forward beers since their inception over 20 years ago and has built an enviable reputation for its memorable, bold and innovative beer.

Stone Brewing recently became the first US craft brewery to establish a fully owned and operated brewery in Europe, including the launch of their restaurant Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens in Berlin, which was built in an unwavering commitment to quality fresh beer and the art of brewing. The core range will be imported from the new Berlin brewery.

"We’re excited to see the interest in craft beer continue to grow in Europe and as the UK has an established craft beer market, we look forward to fans enjoying cans delivered as fresh as possible from Berlin.” said Stone Executive Chairman & co-founder Greg Koch. "We looked for a distributor partner as committed to delivering fresh craft beer as we are and one that would handle our beers as carefully as we brew them. James Clay meets all of those high standards."

Ian Clay, Founder and MD at James Clay, commented: “Stone Brewing is one of the world’s most celebrated craft breweries and is a pivotal inspiration to the remarkable global craft brewing revolution. Their IPAs are rightly considered modern classics, so we are delighted to be partnering with them in the UK, distributing these award-winning beers across the country.”